ABSTRACT
Under Italian law, there are several legitimate routes, some 'formal', others 'informal', for acquiring DNA evidence at the pre-trial stage of the criminal process. Italy has two major sources of experts entitled to perform DNA tests. A state laboratory performing the test within its own premises is mainly selected in those instances in which the investigators want to verify the genetic material found on the crime site, following the informal procedure described above. Experts consist of a list held within the local courthouse. Its members have been selected according to their professional qualification, which must offer sufficient guarantees of expertise in the field of genetics. The range of beneficial uses of genetics seems boundless. Inside the boundaries of the legal field, DNA-related information could play a key role not only for a range of helpful screenings on public health, but also for the identification of single individuals for criminal and non-criminal purpose.
